Pursuing activities that are inspiring and meaningful, like getting involved in a hobby or volunteering in the community, can also help. It is important to establish a support system of like-minded friends and family to share in progress and setbacks. According to Codependents Anonymous, relationships can Drug rehabilitation start as healthy and, over time, become unhealthy.4 Denial, low self-esteem, compliance, control, and avoidance patterns can develop.

Importance of Hobbies and Activities in Recovery

• There are some people who do not believe or do not agree with the 12-step strategy.
• This journey to sobriety can be challenging, but celebrating milestones throughout can provide motivation and a reward for the hard work you put in.
• Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood boosters.
• This abstinence-based program focuses on providing positive social reinforcement and self-direction, allowing you to reach your goals and establish a sober lifestyle.
• It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
• Deepening spiritual connections and practices can be seen as one of the key aspects of staying sober without AA.

If you choose to quit drinking without AA, it’s important to consider your current social scene and whether or not you’d like to change that. If you need sober friends and don’t do support groups, Meetup has great local activities that will allow you to get out of the bars and meet people in positive environments. SMART Recovery programs offer both local in-person meetings and online support through a 24/7 chat board and daily online meetings.

Therapy

Some people mistake sponsors for counselors or mentors. If you believe you will never maintain sobriety, you likely won’t. Therefore, it’s crucial you know and believe you can stay in recovery. Have a positive attitude and surround yourself and the person you are helping with positive supports.

• It is a top-notch facility all around and I highly recommend it.
• By taking time to be mindful and reflective, one can deepen a relationship with a Higher Power and gain profound insight into how to live in the present moment.
• When I was a heavy drinker, everything involved alcohol.
• Not only does this put you in a safe space to keep your mind off cravings, but it’s a reserved space that forces you to be proactive.

Follow Through On Your Thoughts Of Relapse

• When you surround yourself with like-minded individuals who share your goals, you can feel less alone and more motivated to stay sober.
• Explain the goal of sobriety and ask for their assistance in reaching this goal.
• One way to do this is to practice mindfulness, which can help you stay present and aware of your thoughts and feelings.
• However, the idea that a recovering alcoholic, or anyone, can “just do it” is a toxic side effect of the culture of working every day until you die, as well as social media brain rot.
• You don’t know what to do with your free time now that you’re sober, huh?

SOS hosts both online and physical face-to-face non-12-Step meetings to help people overcome how to stay sober without aa any form of addiction, from behavioral addictions to drug and alcohol addictions. This requires some thought and should not be glossed over. You are committing to fundamentally changing the way you live one gradual but meaningful step at a time. In order to do this, you need to feel done with your unhealthy patterns.